About the Complex

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs.

Typically, a project leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, refuge manager, biological, fire, visitor services, and maintenance professionals, are centrally located and support all refuges within the complex.

What We Do

American Avocet

• This avocet has long, thin, gray legs with black and white plumage on the back and white on the underbelly. The neck and head are cinnamon in the summer and gray in the winter. The long, thin bill is curved upward and the avocet sweeps it back and forth in the water to feed. Chicks walk, swim, and feed themselves.